So, that was May.
It went by quickly, in a flurry of exam madness, Jubilee build up and unpredictable weather. Very British to comment on the weather, but it has been a bit all-seasons-in-one-week here in Wiltshire. Not what I was promised when I agreed to move to the South.
But anyhoo, when I haven’t been looking out the window and muttering about the weather this is what my May looked like…
Flowers, Flowers and more Flowers
Wild flowers, dried flowers, garden flowers, even a cathedral full of flowers in Salisbury.
I love flowers, all of them. The fleeting seasonal blooms, the traditional English flowers, even the ones that are considered weeds. I love that flowers have meaning and language, that they can brighten a day, a room, a mood.
This month I well and truly indulged by enjoying a day out at a flower festival, but I’ve also just enjoyed flower spotting when I’ve been out and about. And there’s a great excuse for a bunch of flower pics. You’re welcome!
Netflixing (And Cheating on Netflix)
Hate to say it, but Netflix and I are on rocky ground. I’m finding myself doing too much looking for something to watch and not enough actual, enjoyable watching. So a break up could be imminent (Well, after I’ve watched the latest instalment of Stranger Things)
I did find a German language documentary to watch this month, but I’m aware it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. Andere Welt or ‘Another World’ offer a glimpse behind the scenes of a women’s secure psychiatry clinic. It’s not easy viewing, but it’s interesting and gets you thinking.
For more entertaining , but still fact based, viewing this month I had to look to Amazon Prime. Well, Mr THL did. He found a film he thought I’d love and he was right. The Courier, starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Jessie Shipley ( who was also brilliant in Taboo) is the engaging and intriguing story of an unlikely spy.
The Courier unfolds the story of Greville Wynne, a British businessman recruited by British Secret Services in the 1960’s to carry information in and out of Russia. It’s a stylish piece that will have you on the edge of your seat at times; had me shouting at the screen. It’s also a celebration of loyalty and friendship. Based on real events, it’s a story that deserves to be told and The Courier tells it very well.
Listening To…
Nazi Wives on Audible. Again not exactly light and fluffy, but very interesting and, in parts, surprising. The narrative explores the women’s relationships with Hitler, with each other and with their husbands. Very thought provoking.
Cheering for Eurovision
Eurovision is a big deal in this house. My eldest came home for it, and the evening involved flags, bunting, a BBQ and a fair few drinks. Any other Eurovision fans out there?
What I learned from Eurovision this year: that winning, or nearly winning, is far more tense then losing and just hanging around the bottom of the score board. My nerves were shredded. We didn’t win, but I feel like we lost in the best possible way. Can’t argue with a win for the Ukraine.
I’ll leave you with my favourite song from the 2022 final, it’s bonkers and very much in the spirit of the contest. And I’m not ashamed to say this has been on my play list all month. Enjoy!
What did you get up to in May? Tell me something interesting/ cheerful/ random in the comments. Wishing everybody a happy and healthy month ahead,
Helen x
Well, the bunting will come in handy for this weekend, Helen. Street party afoot? I was intrigued by your mention of Audible. I don’t use Amazon but it’d be good to have something interesting to listen to while I iron. Not that I iron much. Can you listen while you’re driving? Wishing you a happy June.
Yes, street parties galore and a beacon lighting here. I don’t listen when driving but you could. I’m a horribly anxious driver, takes me all I’ve got just to drive 😆 I’m sure you’d find something on Audible, there’s tons of stuff on there and it’s not all dark and grim, that’s just what I seem to gravitate to! 😆
You’re a step ahead of me. I don’t drive. My husband turned grey overnight trying to teach me 🤣💟
I love your flower gallery, but everything else sounds a bit dark for me! I’m definitely sticking with the cheerful at the moment.
I did think when I read looked at the post it might sound a bit grim! I’m generally pretty cheerful but seem to have drifted towards darker things this month. Mr THL is away this coming month so I’ll be keeping it light and cheerful, otherwise I have myself on edge when I’m home alone.
Thanks for the flower gallery – lovely. We spent our month in Europe, so no Netflix for us (we tried it once, but without specific things to ask for, we couldn’t find things we wanted to watch) and … definitely no Eurovision! Have a lovely Jubilee weekend!
Thanks Margaret, wishing you a lovely weekend too.
We got up at 7am here in NZ to watch Eurovision. I have to say I didn’t like the UK song (sorry!) or the Norwegian one….but we had friends round and had breakfast and fun. The flower gallery is lovely!
I love this- the spirit of Eurovision is all about bringing people together! I was on the fence with our UK entry, I didn’t think it would do as well as it did. Will we keep the momentum next year of go back to ‘nil point’, I wonder?
Ohh I forgot about Eurovision in my round up. Yes it was incredibly tense! First time I’ve watched the whole thing for many years. This year Kind of proved that we have had not great entries in recent times, and yay, Europe doesn’t hate us. 🙂
I am savouring the Stranger Things episodes. Don’t want them to end! Watched The Courier which was definitely an intriguing true story.
Ooh I’m glad to hear Stranger Things is delivering, i did wonder if they might have pushed it a season too far. I’m saving it for next week, the husband is away again so that will be my nights sorted!
It’s definitely delivering. And split into two parts. 7 episodes now and some more in July.
Those flowers are beautiful, isn’t May such a lovely month seeing all of nature spring back to life. And I love Andere Welt, though I speak German so it’s a little easier to just listen and not need dubbing or subtitles. Have a great Jubilee weekend 🙂
Yes, I think May has been the tipping point this year after a few false starts from Summer! Funny thing watching anything in German is if I just watch in German with no subs then I can keep up nicely. The minute the subtitles are on, I can’t! It must be something to do with brain/visual connection and language. I’m keen to keep the ability to speak and listen in German though so I do try and push myself a bit. Wishing you a lovely Jubilee weekend too!
Time is just zooming by for me, and it gets even faster as I age, almost like I’m in an accelerating spaceship. I’ve found The New Diary by Tristine Rainer, and that’s been an invaluable resource in improving my journal practice. For the fiction bit, Dungeon Crawler Carl has been a new subgenre that I’m enjoying. That was my May, and I’m hoping to make better use of June!